Not By Deeds Alone. Are Christian-Based Rehab Centers Right For You?

By Your Health Magazine

Substance abuse treatment centers are a vital lifeline for anyone dealing with drug addiction and a desire to get free from drugs. There are many different facilities out there that promise the best care for physical, mental, and spiritual health. Christian rehab centers lean into the latter part hard, with religious teachings and sessions to bring patients closer to God. How does this compare with secular facilities, and is it the right approach for you?

How Do Christian Rehab Centers Compare With Secular Rehab Centers?

The hope is that all rehab centers will offer the same level of care and support for their substance abuse treatment patients, regardless of their faith or situation. They have a duty of care to provide the best support and treatment they can and get patients on the path to sobriety. Therefore, there are basic expectations surrounding the level of care for physical and mental health in addiction treatment. The problem is that there are some concerns that this isn’t always the case.

Preconceptions about Christian rehab centers led to false beliefs that they are narrow-minded and have an agenda that doesn’t serve the patient. That isn’t the case. There are always going to be some facilities that don’t make the grade for one reason or another, but that doesn’t mean that all Christian rehabs are bad. On the contrary, many patients find they get exactly what they need from this faith-based approach. As long as there is enough focus on physical, mental, and spiritual health, patients in any center can thrive.

Physical Health

Dealing with the physical health of addiction patients in substance abuse treatment is the most important place to start. All treatment centers must have licensed professionals on staff to help addicts deal with medical detox and any withdrawal symptoms that emerge. Only once patients are stable and responsive to care can they continue with further therapy solutions. Patients should demand the same level of professionalism in both faith-based and secular systems.

Mental Health

These Christian and secular centers should also provide the same level of care and support for mental health concerns. However, there are questions over this. The level of care can vary between centers because of the focus of the CBT sessions and the teachings of the practitioners. There is a concern that there’s too much emphasis on the cause of addiction being rooted in a loss of faith or straying from the flock and not looking at additional mental health issues. This isn’t the case in centers that balance CBT and personalized plans with faith-led teachings. They know they need to treat depression, anxiety, and any psychological disorders related to the addiction as well. This is certain with secular care, and it should be in any center. If in doubt, read about the center’s approaches and views on addiction. Look for any reviews from previous patients, and how they managed their condition.

Emotional/Spiritual Health

This is where things start to shift. In secular centers, emotional and spiritual health comes from additional classes and activities in recreational and alternative therapy. Music, art, and animal therapy all play a part in a comprehensive treatment plan. That doesn’t mean this isn’t available in Christian centers. Some may offer a combination of options for a more personalized approach, perhaps tying biblical teachings and expressions of repentance into creative outlets. You would have to check the list of therapeutic tools and the ethos of the center.

Many facilities will focus on faith-based practices instead. This means Bible studies, church attendance, group sessions, and regular readings and teachings. Often, therapists focus on themes of guilt and forgiveness over some other issues to help patients in line with the teachings of God. Secular centers won’t offer this. Inpatients may be able to take in a bible to read in their own time and freely talk about their faith in individual sessions. However, there aren’t guided sessions where they can get spiritual help. As much as these secular centers will welcome people of all faiths, they can’t favor one religion over others.

Another factor to consider is the number of women-only centers rooted in the Christian faith. Christian rehab for women is designed as a safe space where women can be free to express themselves and heal from their addiction without dealing with male patients. This is essential for victims of domestic violence or sexual assault. They end up finding allies in other survivors, in other daughters who disappointed their parents or mothers trying to do what’s right for their kids.

Who Can Benefit From The Christian Rehab Centers And Who Can’t?

Christian substance abuse treatment is perfect for those with strong faith or who want to reconnect with a lost faith via Christian teachings. It’s for those who are prepared to take part in Bible studies and group sessions and attend church with other patients. It will benefit those who need the guidance of a spiritual leader and that sort of structure more than some of the alternative therapies in other facilities. These patients may also find it’s a chance to bring families closer together.

Christian rehab isn’t for those with a traumatic relationship with the Christian faith or who are easily triggered by teachings, church settings, and Bible studies. This includes people in strict and judgemental households, perhaps where religious families disowned them. These patients are better off on a secular path, without pressure to conform or live up to standards. Secular systems can help those who would thrive with alternative therapies instead.

Is Christian Substance Abuse Treatment For You?

The only person who can answer that question is you. Do you think a Christian environment with structured teachings would guide you back on the right path and help you reconnect with your faith? Or would this approach prove detrimental because of past relationships and deeper trauma related to religious family members and environments? If you think you would benefit, check out local providers and see how they can help.